Belma Arellano Cabilao (born November 10, 1942) is a Filipino lawyer and politician who served as a member of the Philippine House of Representatives for Zamboanga Sibugay's 1st congressional district from 2007 to 2010 and 2013 to 2016. Currently a member of the Nacionalista Party, she previously represented Zamboanga Sibugay's at-large district in the House from 2001 to 2007, and Zamboanga del Sur's 3rd district from 1992 to 1998, and served as vice governor of Zamboanga del Sur from 1986 to 1992.
Early life and education Cabilao was born on November 10, 1942, in Malangas, Zamboanga del Sur, to Mariano Cabilao and Leonor Arellano. She attended Malangas Central Elementary School and Malangas Institute for her primary and secondary education, respectively. In 1962, she graduated with a degree in anthropology from Silliman University.
Cabilao later went to the University of Santo Tomas, where she earned a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1966 and a Master of Arts in Social Sciences in 1969.
Career Before entering politics, Cabilao worked as a legal officer with the Land Registration Commission, administrator of the Malangas Institute, project director and board member of Malangas Credit Union Incorporated, and legal counsel of the Prelature of Ipil. She was also a member of the Free Legal Assistance Group from 1977 to 1992.
In 1984, Cabilao ran for the Regular Batasang Pambansa under the Concerned Citizens' Aggrupation, representing Zamboanga del Sur, but lost. She was later appointed by President Corazon Aquino as the officer-in-charge (OIC) vice governor of Zamboanga del Sur, alongside Javier Ariosa as OIC governor. They were elected to a full term in 1988.
Cabilao then ran for Zamboanga del Sur's 3rd district in the House of Representatives in 1992 under Lakas–CMD, defeating incumbent representative Wilfredo Cainglet. She was reelected in 1995, but lost her reelection bid for a third term in 1998 to George T. Hofer.
On June 23, 1998, Cabilao was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of the Golden Heart by President Fidel V. Ramos.
When a congressional district for the new province of Zamboanga Sibugay was created, Cabilao successfully ran for a new term in 2001 and was reelected in 2004. The district was later divided into two in 2006, and she ran for Zamboanga Sibugay's 1st district in 2007. She was term-limited in 2010, and her son Jonathan Yambao ran for and won the seat.
Cabilao won a new term in 2013, running under the Nacionalista Party, and served until 2016. She lost reelection in 2016 to Wilter Palma II and has since retired from public office.
Electoral history + Electoral history of Belma Cabilao Year Office Party Votes received Result Total % . Swing 1984 Assemblywoman (Zamboanga del Sur) 8th 1988 Vice Governor of Zamboanga del Sur Unknown 1st 1992 Representative (Zamboanga del Sur–3rd) rowspan="6" Lakas 37,759 41.08% 1st 1995 51,019 50.97% 1st 1998 60,575 45.94% 2nd 2001 Representative (Zamboanga Sibugay) 1st 2004 1st 2007 Representative (Zamboanga Sibugay–1st) 1st 2013 rowspan="2" Nacionalista 1st 2016 42,417 45.23% 2nd
Honors National honors Grand Cross (Maringal na Krus) of the Order of the Golden Heart
References